#ch: james hook

[pirxtefairy]

closed starter : @plaguedpirate 📍 the home of the antique shop owner

Avoiding the imposing lights of the street lamps, Zarina lurked around shadowed corners; her eyes carefully scrutinizing the neighborhood. She didn't spend her personal time around the more affluent areas of Evermore, but the girl did make a habit of pursuing them for higher-class items to steal.

Tonight was a rare night for the Neverland native. Zarina was on a mission fueled by a spare bit of intel she heard in passing. Allegedly, the owner of the antique shop, Secondhand Treasures, lived on this street. With her particular... occupation, Zarina avoided the antique shop. The fairy knew better than to try and peddle her findings to someone who would be able to tell within an instant that she was lying through her teeth. Selling to them was non-negotiable... but stealing from them was another story. She's been in dire need of a good score lately; and while she's not proud of the work she does for a living, this house could very likely turn her week around.

Zarina knew she found the right home by the decorative, antique pots on the front porch. With her hood protectively slid up over her head, the brunette approached cautiously. Slow, quiet steps were muffled further by the padded grass. The windows were dark, the lights were off and the house was seemingly empty. Zarina always felt more guilt about sneaking into houses, but she only did it during desperate times. With a silent sigh and one last look around, she expertly prowled to the back door before slipping the lock-picking tools from the small bag across her body.

[finestspxcer]

closed starter : @wildcstwinter (hook) 📍 the snuggly duckling

"Mr. Hook, I'm only indulging this silly game for two reasons." Amelia scrutinized the small collection of darts in her hands, gracefully shuffling them across her palm with her fingers. "First, I'll be transparent in announcing my curiosity in your particular background of captaining," the woman started. The RLS Legacy was near and dear to her heart, and she had been increasingly missing her ship more and more with each passing day. In fact, she was becoming a little stir crazy about it. Her heels clacked softly as she adjusted her position, moving neatly across the wooden floor to stand an adequate distance from the hanging target. "And second because – well my victory here is guaranteed."

[pirxtefairy]

@plaguedpirate

SOMETHING IN THE RAIN (밥 잘 사주는 예쁜 누나) — 1.03

[idiotscientist]

@plaguedpirate

location: the snuggly duckling

JUMBA NEVER CARED FOR THE REPUATION SOME PLACES in Evermore had. He had lived a long life so far with dangers far greater than a dive bar presented before him. Perhaps it was not the place, but the people. Having spent a short amount of time in a prison cell, Jumba didn't care whom he was with, so much as he wasn't alone. Sitting on a stool at the bar he sipped on his larger with distain. "I order this everytime. It is disgusting.. my friend-- what is it you are drinking? Does it taste better than this rotten urine?"

[ladykarloff]

“𝕰𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖞 𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖓𝖊𝖊𝖉𝖘 𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝕾𝖎𝖗𝖊𝖓 𝕿𝖔 𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖈𝖐 𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖌𝖙𝖍 𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖍𝖊 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖘 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝕴𝖓 𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖚𝖓𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜𝖓.” ― 𝕯𝖊𝖏𝖆𝖓 𝕾𝖙𝖔𝖏𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖎𝖈

I really got in the mood for drawing a mermaid, especially since I was listening to Hans Zimmer's music he did for "Pirates of the Caribbean." Then I remembered how badly I wanted to draw Boris in his Captain Hook role; I truly couldn't wrap my mind around that stage makeup, but he seemed dark and commanding. How can a girl resist that?

I'm actually thinking about making this into a little art series. The next one will be fun, I think. Another will be inspired by a screencap from the fourth "Pirates" movie, so I'm excited. Wish me luck!

[ell0ra-br3kk3r-writes]

A Super Soldier's Soft Spot

pairing: post tfatws!bucky barnes x fem!reader

genre: flufff

el's thoughts: first time writing for bucky!! it's probably a lil ooc, but i figured i'll post it anyway. hope yall like it!!

masterlist

James Buchanan Barnes. Bucky. Winter Soldier. Ex-Winter Soldier. Avenger. The-One-With-The-Metal-Arm.Uncle Bucky. Babe.

All are names Bucky answers to. Granted, the last one was the latest addition to the list. He met Y/N at a little backyard barbeque at the Willson’s, that Sarah had put together. Sam invited him and he was promptly introduced to Y/N—Sarah’s friend since middle school. Bucky hated to admit that Sam had finally found him a match but he couldn’t deny how quickly he fell for Y/N. 

She was a breath of fresh air in the storm that was his life. Cliche. He knows. 

“Hurry up! We’re going to be late!”

Bucky chuckled, “I’m the one closest to the door, Y/N/N.” He tugged his leather jacket on and grabbed his keys from the key hook by the door. “Plus, you know your family doesn’t start dinner at the time they say they would. We’ll still get there early.”

Y/N hopped on one shoe-clad foot as she slipped the other shoe on, clutching her canvas tote bag in her other hand. “Still.” She stood up straight in front of him with a bright, teasing smile and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Okay, let’s go, Super Soldier.”

Bucky rolled his eyes playfully and held the door open for her, followed her out, and locked it behind him. If anyone asked him just five years ago if he saw himself going to family dinners once a month he would have laughed in their face. Yet, here he was, helping his girl into his car to drive them to her monthly family dinner. 

Pulling into the large crowded driveway of Y/N’s family home, she reached across the center console and squeezed Bucky’s hand excitedly. Y/N’s older sister had texted her beforehand, letting her know that the kids would be joining them. Since Y/N’s nieces and nephews are in their early to mid-teen years, the kids seem to always have plans of their own on the weekend. The kids had grown incredibly fond of Bucky, already claiming him as their favorite. Y/N had tried to warn and prepare him for how overwhelming her nieces and nephews could be but Bucky surprised her the first time he met her family. 

Bucky didn’t realize how much he missed being in a family setting, having forgotten how his own mother and sister were. 

As soon as Bucky and Y/N stepped out of the car, the front door swung open hazardly. 

“Uncle Bucky!”

Bucky barely had time to register the title before a whirlwind of limbs tackled him. He allowed himself to stumble back playfully, wrapping his metal arm around Y/N’s youngest niece, Ava, who clung to him like a koala. 

“Hey, kid,” he chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Thought you had plans with your friends?”

Ava grinned. “Canceled. I had to be here. You promised to help me with my soccer drills.”

“Ah, right,” Bucky nodded while a smirk tugged at his lips. “You think you’re ready to take me on, huh?”

She crossed her arms, feigning confidence. “I’m faster than you.”

“Sure, kid,” he said, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm as he followed Y/N up the steps.

Inside, the house was alive with chatter, and the smell of something delicious and savory, simmered on the stove. Y/N’s mom greeted them first, pulling Bucky into a hug before she moved to kiss Y/N’s cheek. It had taken him a while to get used to the casual affection Y/N’s family showed him, but now? Now, it didn’t send him into fight mode. Now, he let himself melt into it.

“Bucky. Sweetie, you look too thin.” Y/N’s mom fussed, cupping his face. “Are you eating enough?”

“I–”

“He eats more than enough, Mom.” Y/N cut him off with a laugh. “Don’t let the super soldier metabolism fool you.”

Before Bucky could defend himself, Y/N’s two oldest nephews appeared, grinning as they exchanged knowing looks.

“You bringing the metal arm for football, or are you scared you’ll embarrass yourself?” Tyler, the eldest, challenged with a smirk.

Bucky raised a brow. “Kid, I fought aliens. You really think I’m scared of a game of backyard football?”

“Prove it then.”

Y/N sighed, shaking her head as Bucky let himself be dragged out to the backyard by the boys. “You’d think they’d stop testing him by now.”

Her older sister, Marie, smirked, handing Y/N a drink. “Please. They love him. He’s the first guy you’ve brought home who actually keeps up with them.”

Y/N smiled, watching Bucky as he jogged across the backyard, already intercepting a pass with an ease that left her nephews gaping. He looked so… happy. Like he belonged.

Like family.

Marie nudged her side. “He’s the one, huh?”

Y/N glanced at her sister before looking back at Bucky, who had just scooped up Ava onto his shoulders as she cheered. 

“Yeah,” she murmured, heart swelling at the thought of Bucky being a part of her family permanently. “Yeah, I think he is.”

[pirxtefairy]

The soft waves of Neverland’s sea were their own living form of percussion to the distant, muddled shanties. Breaking crests, creaking wood and flapping sails have grown harmonious to Zarina; a pirate fairy’s lullaby. And yet somehow, tonight’s song held no power against the words both spoken and unspoken by one James Hook.

He was feeding the storm perpetually building behind his eyes. Zarina could tell. And even though his mind is where that storm presently remained, it seemed much louder than the lullaby in her ears. “Limitations are fickle things. I think it’s in our nature to push their boundaries. You and I, that is. Still, I’ve been warned a few times by now that doing so may not be very wise.” Warnings and limits be dashed, here she was… a fairy presenting a pirate with pixie dust.

For the first time maybe ever, Zarina felt her mind go completely quiet. The way James was looking at her as they talked about her dust… she’s never had anyone look at her like that. Anytime she ever tried to confide in someone about her alchemy, she was always received with glances of worry or even fear. But James — she could clearly see the wonder dancing across his eyes, just like it does within her own. It was all she’s been wanting for so long. All she’s been needing. Alright, maybe that wonder was just because he was a human, but she buried that thought as quickly as it arose. In that moment, she could have sworn her heart felt a bit lighter in her chest… as if he had dusted it himself.

“Don’t worry about my supply. I’ve been working on a plan to get more. If all goes well, then the whole entire crew will be swimming in pixie dust. There’s just a few more variables I need to get under control, but then I'll tell you everything. For now… I think it’s a bit of an injustice that someone like you hasn’t experienced the joy of soaring the winds.”  

Zarina stood up straighter, fingers curling around the golden dust as she jostled it casually around her palm with anticipation. “You’ve already conquered land and sea, but I bet you hold ambition in you yet for conquering the skies. What do you say, James — would you like to learn how to fly?”

her comment resulted in a limp curl of his lip, a sad attempt at a smile, pointed chin swishing from left to ride as he turned his face back out to the deadly calm of the open sea. the waters were beckoning, lapping eagerly at the sides of the ship, slopping against wood as if the waves were attempting to crawl up and come aboard. hook would let them, he figured, if they'd promise to drown out the guilt that was disturbing the contents of his stomach. her voice rung like a bell, though it was odd how he could now understand it, her brilliance in the art of manipulating pixie dust never ceasing to amaze him. all this time, james had thought himself the most magical being on neverland . . . that was, until he wasn't. however, fae like zarina convinced the man that perhaps he had been wrong all along . . . and zarina ; oh her talents were the closet thing he had tasted to his lost youth in well over ten years.

" you'd be surprised what comes in short supply on an island of eternity." he jested, though the words came out dry and brittle like that of dried up sea sponges. " — there will always be limitations, it seems. odd, given as i once believed the world to be without them. " his tongue felt too large for his mouth, running uncomfortably along his teeth as he moved it to form words, as if canines had turned to iron spikes intended to cut him with every lie he spoke. james grimaced, the guilt swelling again, making him feel sick as he lowered his chin to his sternum. " i suppose that includes company but, yours may have very well proven itself to have been the exception . "

he wondered how far she'd stay behind him, how much distance she felt the need to preserve; if she felt the need to preserve any at all. his heart ticked away in his chest like a dwindling time bomb, dancing on the edge of eruption , but he didn't tell her the clock was winding down , a spark lazily consuming up a wick that would lead to the detonation of his dynamite soul . . . he was too selfish to protect her from the wreckage that would come in hopes that she'd hold his hand when it did. maybe her magic would be able to stop what his being lost had caused.

seeing a foreign glow in his peripheral, james turned his head, eyes of coffee widening at the sight of the luminous dust that lay in her outstretched palm. he turned, as if pulled by some magnetic force, and stepped forward so he could see it better — though its iridescence was not easily missed as it illuminated the dark, night sky ( save for some twinkling stars and a halved moon ) . " no , no , " he reassured on the coattail of her words, a childlike wonder in the way he cupped his hands around hers, shielding the pile of gold from the gentle winds of poseidon as the god of the sea whistled across his restless waters. " — no, captain, this is — bloody hell , this is far more thrilling than any bottle of rum, are you joking ?? " the little boy that had been lost to age and to anger returned as he smiled, face aglow from delight and the dust as he lowered his features to better inspect it. " it's extraordinary, " his whispered, mesmerized, his face lifting to hers as clear admiration glittered in his eyes. " — what all can you do with such an amount ?? surely you're preserving it for your alchemy and — well . . . " his gaze drifted to the top of her head, to the tips of leather boots, before returning to zarina's face once more ; " — maintaining your size. "

[moonstruckme]

plz...i beg you...fluffy sirius x gf!reader and he is just obsessed

all touch all the time, a million kisses, "no don't leave"

reader is insecure about it cause she's not used to being in loving relationships let alone one with The Sirius Black

yes this is the most basic plot but plz i'm starved for new sirius content

Thanks for requesting lovely!

Sirius Black x fem!reader ♡ 669 words

“Sirius.” Your voice is muffled through thick fabric. “Honey, this is excessive.” 

You’re barely even walking, Sirius propelling you both along as he holds you tight to his side, half a dozen layers of cushioning between you. He scrubs his hand over your shoulder as if you need the extra warmth, looking at you worriedly. 

“Darling, you can’t go out in this weather with a jacket that doesn’t zip,” he says, pulling your scarf up a notch. It tickles the bottom of your nose. 

“I didn’t know it was broken until I put it on,” you defend yourself. “Anyway, I’m not cold.” 

“Liar,” he accuses fondly, dropping a kiss just below the wooly band of your hat. “Listen, we’re almost there, and then we’ll get some warm butterbeer in you, yeah?”

You don’t bother arguing further, allowing him to all but carry you, your side pressed awkwardly against his, the rest of the way to the Three Broomsticks. 

James and Remus both smile at you, expressions faintly puzzled, as you come inside. They’re sitting across from each other in the booth, and Sirius says, “Move, Prongs,” with such surety that James doesn’t even question it, sliding out of his seat and in next to Remus. 

“Siri,” you chide softly as he finally peels away from you to sit down. Chilly air fills in the gap in your coat where he stood, and you shiver in surprise. 

“I knew it!” Sirius cries, more distressed than triumphant. He reaches for you, hauling you into the booth and up against him. “C’mere, baby, let me warm you up.” He takes his gloves off before your own, rubbing warmth into your barely stiff fingers. Remus and James are silent, wearing nearly matching stunned expressions. Nearly, because Remus’ one eyebrow is quirked knowingly. 

“Merlin, shortcake, did you come upon a blizzard out there?” James asks, confused. 

“No,” you say embarrassedly, gently removing your hands from Sirius’ to take off your scarf. 

“The zipper on her coat is broken,” Sirius grouses like it’s part of some larger plot against you. 

“This is a ploy,” Remus decides. “He just wants an excuse to touch her.” 

Sirius scoffs, pressing his warm hands to your cheeks. “I don’t need an excuse to touch my girlfriend,” he says, and plants an emphatic kiss on your chapped lips to prove it. “My motivations are twofold. Now can one of you be useful and get us some butterbeer?”

“Oh, I’ve got it,” you say, but you’ve barely set one foot out of the booth before Sirius is scrambling to get his arms around your shoulders, tugging you back to his chest.

“No, you stay.” He bands one arm around your waist and another just above your chest, keeping you securely in place. “One of the boys’ll get them, lovely.” 

James lets out a low whistle as Remus gets up, heading towards the bar. “What’ve you done to him?” he asks you. “It’s all baby this and lovely that, can’t keep his hands to himself, and now he has separation anxiety?”

“She is lovely,” Sirius says, nuzzling your shoulder as you shake your head at James bewilderedly. “If you had someone like her, Prongsie, you wouldn’t want her to leave either.” 

“Seems like a blessing and a curse,” James mutters, but he’s smiling. 

“Siri,” you try, speaking quietly to him over your shoulder, “I’m feeling pretty warm now, baby.” 

“Yeah?” He takes your chin in his hand, keeping your face angled to the side so he can kiss the corner of your mouth, the skin next to your eye. “That’s great, sweetness.” He starts tugging your coat off for you, placing it atop his own. You start to shuffle away, thinking the cause for your proximity is over, but he only adjusts you in his lap, intertwining your fingers and hooking his chin over your shoulder. “Mmm, yeah, this is better,” he decides, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek. “Can get you even closer without all those layers in between.” 

[sideprince]

Eileen Prince

I'm relentlessly curious about how a witch from Slytherin, a house that values cunning and ambition on paper, and bloodlines/nobility in its culture, ended up living in a muggle slum.

Unfortunately for me, she's a barely mentioned character written by an author who consistently fails to portray female characters with depth or dimension. The women in Harry Potter are portrayed as either maternal or villains, or, in Ginny Weasley's case, as redeemed by their masculine traits (because Rowling's Thatcher era feminism dictates that equality for women = emulating patriarchal ideas of manhood). About as much as you can expect from an author who's as unable to acknowledge the personhood of trans women as she is to write women as actual people. This leaves a lot of room for interpreting or delving into what Eileen Prince's life may have looked like, and how that would have affected her son's development.

There are three direct mentions of Eileen in the text :

“The picture showed a skinny girl of around fifteen. She was not pretty; she looked simultaneously cross and sullen, with heavy brows and a long, pallid face. Underneath the photograph was the caption: Eileen Prince, Captain of the Hogwarts Gobstones Team.”

HBP Ch. 25

“I was going through the rest of the old Prophets and there was a tiny announcement about Eileen Prince marrying a man called Tobias Snape, and then later an announcement saying that she’d given birth to a" “ — murderer,” spat Harry.

HBP ch. 30

“Harry looked around: he was on platform nine and three-quarters, and Snape stood beside him, slightly hunched, next to a thin, sallow-faced, sour-looking woman who greatly resembled him.”

DH Ch. 33

(Shoutout to Harry James Potter, who didn't recognize Eileen's fifth year photo despite her resemblance to Snape, the teacher whose classroom he got his used Potions book from. Shoutout also to Harry James Potter who didn't connect the dots between the Prince's handwriting and Snape's, a teacher who regularly wrote instructions on the board. "I needed to make the plot work, ok?" - JK Rowling, probably.)

Other relevant excerpts:

“Snape staggered - his wand flew upwards, away from Harry - and suddenly Harry’s mind was teeming with memories that were not his: a hook-nosed man was shouting at a cowering woman, while a small dark-haired boy cried in a corner ”

OoTP Ch. 26

“Harry delved into his trunk and pulled out his copy of Advanced Potion-Making before getting into bed. There he turned its pages, searching, until he finally found, at the front of the book, the date that it had been published. It was nearly fifty years old.”

HBP Ch. 16

Supplemental material re: Gobstones from JK Rowling:

"...it remains a minority sport within the wizarding world, and does not enjoy a very ‘cool’ reputation, something its devotees tend to resent. Gobstones is most popular among very young wizards and witches, but they generally ‘grow out’ of the game, becoming more interested in Quidditch as they grow older.  ... Gobstones enjoys limited popularity at Hogwarts, ranking low among recreational activities, way behind Quidditch and even Wizarding Chess." [There's an additional sentence on the Harry Potter wiki's Gobstones page: "...it is also known as 'the thinking wizard's Quidditch.'"]

A few conclusions can be drawn from what little information we're given about Eileen:

She's described as "cross and sullen" around the age of 15, and as "sallow-faced, sour-looking" when she's older.

She's captain of the Gobstones club around her fifth year, so she likely marched to the beat of her own drum - given that Gobstones isn't particularly popular - and owns it proudly enough to take, or even seek out, a leadership role.

The sport is described as "the thinking wizard's Quidditch" which would imply Eileen was more interested in intellectual challenges and was clever (and can be paralleled with a young Severus' comment about "if you'd rather be brawny than brainy" to James Potter when they first meet on the Hogwarts Express).

Her marriage and the birth of her son are both announced in the paper, which might mean the family she came from was of some importance or note, or perhaps something else... but we'll get to that.

If we assume that Severus' secondhand copy of Advanced Potion Making was originally Eileen's (reasonable, though there is no textual evidence) then its publication date is likely around the time she was a sixth year, given that this particular text was specific to students beginning to prep for N.E.W.T. exams. Harry begins his sixth year in 1996 when the book is "nearly fifty years old," so we can assume Eileen was 16 years old sometime not long after 1946. Severus was born in 1960, which would mean Eileen was in her mid-late 20s at the time.

Her marriage was dysfunctional at best, abusive at worst. As per a Pottermore post that is still up on WizardingWorld.com: "...the desperately lonely and unhappy childhood [Severus] had with a harsh father who didn’t hold back when it came to the whip." Based on this, we can assume Tobias was abusive, and given Eileen's cowering as he shouted at her, she presumably feared him.

From these bits of information emerges the image of a woman who either had a surly personality, or at the very least was guarded, though perhaps just formal. There isn't really any difference in how her face is set when she's in an everyday setting like King's Cross, or when she's having her picture taken for the Gobstones Club. It's possible she was a stern, unsmiling person, but it's also possible - given that her wedding and child were announced in the paper - that she came from a family of some standing and was raised to conduct herself with hallmarks of British class, such as dignity and unaffectedness. After all, there are several wizarding families - such as the Potters - who are wealthy purebloods with social standing but are not part of the Sacred 28. Additionally, the Gobstones Club portrait would have been taken around the mid-1940s, when portraits were formal and their subjects did not often smile, and given that we see only a snippet of Eileen, we don't have enough information that she was unhappy or sour. It's also important to remember that we see her portrait and Snape's memory of her through Harry's perspective and, like his perception of Snape himself, this may convey Harry's biases.

We also know from the text that Snape had a house in a deserted part of Cokeworth, a fictional Midlands town that presumably had a collapsed milling industry, at the end of a street called Spinner's End. There's a great thread that goes into details about the kind of 2 up 2 down house it would have been, and we can assume that this is Snape's family home given that we know he and Lily grew up in Cokeworth. For all intents and purposes, the conclusion we can draw from this being the Snape family's home in the 60s is that they were working class and cripplingly poor. Most estates like this had been cleared by the 60s, and no longer exist today.

This begs the question: how did a witch from a possibly well-off family end up in an abusive marriage in an irrelevant slum?

Buckle up kids, we're leaving the world of textual references and veering into deep meta territory now. I won't label any of this as head canon because I'm not set on these interpretations, and am just drawing conclusions from the text, but some of it may be a bit loose even for meta.

If Eileen was 16 years old not long after 1946, then she would have finished school in the late 40s, possibly even 1950. While some people (including past me) posit the theory that Tobias may have been injured in WWII and his injuries debilitated him, forcing him to go on the dole and affecting his mental health, I'm increasingly skeptical of this theory. It would make more sense if Eileen had known him before he was drafted/enlisted and had committed to a relationship with him, which would then have changed when he came back from the war and was altered. If we assume Eileen's age based on the idea that it was her own copy of Advanced Potion Making Severus used, then she would still have been at school during WWII (which makes an interesting parallel with Severus' own experience of spending the bulk of the first wizarding war against Voldemort as a student at school).

I do think, however, that there's merit in the theory that Tobias suffered some kind of altering injury and that he wasn't necessarily abusive before Eileen committed herself to him. It makes little sense for a Slytherin graduate who was confident and self-posessed enough to be the face of an unpopular club to be drawn to a partner so abusive his shouts caused her to cower and who whipped his child freely. If, however, he was a charming, happy man when they met who suffered a life-altering injury, the trauma of which left him a shell of his former self, then someone like Eileen might stick around for the sake of the parts of his old self she can still see in him.

It's interesting that she didn't seem to use her magic to protect herself or her son, or even to dress her son in clothing that fit, but we know from the text that depression can cause a wizard's powers to wane:

“...it is also possible that her unrequited love and the attendant despair sapped her of her powers; that can happen”

HBP Ch. 13 (Dumbledore talking about Merope Gaunt)

The fact that the Snapes retained the house in Spinner's End seems to indicate that they continued to live there even when the local industry dried up and the slum was cleared as workers were moved to other parts of the country where they were needed (presumably what happened given *gestures at British history*). The most likely explanation for this would be that Tobias wasn't able to work, and perhaps did suffer an injury, only it was at work, and not during the war. This would mean the family lived on the dole (ie. welfare) and also that he would have spent a lot more time at home. It would also explain his anger and frustration that led to abusive behavior (which isn't to say that disabled people are abusive by any means, but it would have been emasculating for a man who considered himself the breadwinner in the 60s, and chronic pain coupled with limited abilities would give anyone a short fuse).

Moreover, this living situation seems to indicate that there is no additional support coming from anywhere. Where is Eileen's family? Why were they not helping? There's no indication in the text that there is any connection with them at all. We can infer from Snape's memories that, as a child, he learned what he knew about the magical world from his mother. This implies that she talked to him about it a fair amount, and his conviction that he and Lily were going to Hogwarts well before they got their letters also implies that Eileen expected him to go there and was set on her son having a magical education, despite how little she seemed to use her own powers.

Severus knows a lot about the wizarding world as a child, including that prisoners are sent to Azkaban and that it's guarded by Dementors, Hogwarts' house structure and what to expect when he and Lily get there, and about the Statute of Secrecy and the laws around it. When Lily asks him if it makes a difference being Muggleborn, Severus hesitates before replying no, presumably because he's aware of pureblood bias being a part of wizarding culture.

Perhaps that's the reason Eileen's family doesn't seem to be in the picture. My own theory is that Eileen hadn't planned to commit herself to Tobias long-term, and Severus was an accidental outcome of an innocent tryst in which a young Eileen, an educated witch from a well to do pureblood family, was having fun slumming it with a working class muggle and ended up pregnant. While we don't know the wizarding world's attitude around pregnancy and abortion, we do know it's a conservative and classist society that parallels muggle British culture fairly closely, and that the late 50s/early 60s were a time when an out of wedlock baby would have been considered a disgrace.

Add to that the anti-muggle bias of a pureblood family and it sounds like Eileen was disowned her for her mistake (and don't @ me, but even though I know that not all Slytherins are purebloods, it does seem to be a persistent cultural value of the house reaching back to Salazar Slytherin himself, so Eileen's being sorted into it can reasonably be taken as an indication of her blood status). Perhaps the marriage and birth announcements in the Daily Prophet were put in by Eileen herself, if she was a woman from a family where this was customary. It may have been her way of letting her family know of the events, or even of asserting herself and even deliberately defying them, announcing to the whole wizarding world that a Prince married and had a child with a muggle. It makes sense that the girl who wasn't just in the Gobstones club, but became captain, would also say to herself, why shouldn't I have my marriage announced in the paper like everyone else in the family?

It's worth noting that mid-late 20s is pretty young to have a baby in the wizarding world, where the life expectancy and child bearing years are much longer than they are for a muggle. According to the Harry Potter wiki:

"Wizard life expectancy in Britain reached an average 137¾ years in the mid-1990s, according to the Ministry of Divine Health ... Wizards in general have a much longer life expectancy than Muggles, usually living two or three times as long as their non magical counterparts, some living even longer than that depending on circumstances. In addition, seeing as James Potter's parents had him "late in life,” witches likely have significantly longer childbearing years than Muggle women."

Although we see several characters in Severus' generation getting married and having kids not long after leaving school, there's a mention in the text that a lot of people were doing this during Voldemort's reign, as the fear he inspired made people more eager to get a move on with life since they thought they might die any day (I think Mrs. Weasley says this but I can't find the quote, @ me if you do). It's clear this wasn't the norm in the wizarding world. Eileen was a Slytherin, a house that values cunning, ambition, and strong wizarding heritage. Something must have gone very wrong in Eileen's life for her to end up having a child so young and living in a muggle slum.

And so it's possible Eileen Prince found herself pregnant and alone, having been disowned by her family to save face in light of her disgrace, and dependent on the only person she was still close to, the father of her child. It's the kind of storyline that Rowling would write, and it would parallel fairly closely the story of Voldemort's mother, thus adding another to the long list of similarities between Voldemort and Snape.

Lorrie Kim makes an interesting point when she talks about how Snape has a strong reaction to other people having a love life or romantic experiences (the context being Rowling's intention of his love for Lily being romantic and unrequited), but doesn't react particularly strongly to mothers sacrificing themselves for their children, whereas Voldemort does. Her insight, and I think it's a reasonable one, is that Severus accepts the idea of mothers making sacrifices for their children, whether it's Lily giving her life for Harry or Narcissa risking all she did to ask for his help in protecting Draco, because his own mother protected him from his father as much as she could.

There's a lot of room for interpretation on what Eileen's relationship with her son looked like, and what it says about her own state. She may have prioritized not angering Tobias to protect Severus, who as a child might have perceived her actions as a form of rejection. At the same time, she seems to have prepared him thoroughly for life in the magical world, perhaps in the hope that he would find his place in it and escape home. Perhaps she missed it and told him so much about it so she could live through her own memories.

The only time we see her argue with Tobias, in Severus' memory, she's cowering as he shouts. We know from JK Rowling that Tobias used corporal punishment liberally, which implies Eileen didn't stop him despite her magical abilities. We also see in the text, however, that while at school Severus stood up for himself against bullies and fought back, and that he was an exceptionally clever and powerful wizard. As an adult he was brave enough to face Dumbledore when he betrayed Voldemort, and later fought against Voldemort right under his nose (or lack thereof). So it stands to reason that at some point Severus began to stand up against Tobias too.

How much of that was Eileen's influence, or the result of Severus seeing her acceptance of her fate and rejecting it for himself, is hard to say. As for what happened to Tobias and Eileen that their house was Severus' by the mid-90s and they were nowhere in sight, I don't think there's enough information in the text to infer.

[marvelavengerspovs1]

Winter Wolf Ch. 3

Winter Wolf Masterlist

Warnings: mentions of Y/N, mentions of violence

Length: 1022

A/N: Hey y’all! I have finals these next 2 weeks and haven’t had time to write or even read much on here. I’m just posting this chapter because it’s been written for months. As of right now, I am no longer adding people to the taglist. I know that it may be frustrating but right now I do not have the time to add people to the list, eventually I will open it back up so you all know when I add a chapter! Thank you for understanding! Also, I just hit 200 followers so thank you so much!!

I do not give consent for my work to be translated, copied, or sold!

It's the next day and everyone except you, Tony, and Bucky were forced to go on an emergency mission. They didn't need you, Bucky, or Tony because it was relatively minor. Just a bombing downtown, nothing you guys haven't done before.

They should be coming back in about an hour.

You go downstairs to the living room and find Bucky sitting there. He looks up at you and smiles.

"Hey Y/N."

"Hey Buckaroo," You sit next to him and smile. "I feel like sparring and Nat's not here. Are you down?"

Are you sure you want to spar with me?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Is that a challenge Mr. Barnes," You ask in the worst posh accent you can muster.

"Of course it is Doll." He copies your accent with a laugh.

"Alright, meet me in the gym in 10." You get up and go to your room to change.

You immediately go to your closet. You grab a pair of leggings and a sports bra. You find a zip-up hoodie and put it on. You finally find your shoes and put them on.

You head down to the gym and see that Bucky isn't there yet. You stretch a bit before going on the treadmill. You put it up to the highest setting you can go before you start running. You hear the door open after a couple of minutes of running. You turn and see Bucky entering.

"Are you ready?" He asks while leaning against the door.

"Yeah, let me grab some water." You tell him.

He nods as you turn back to the treadmill to turn it off. You get off and go to the small fridge by Bucky. As soon as you open it, you feel yourself being lifted into the air.

Bucky was lifting you above his shoulder, starting his attack.

You sigh and wrap your legs around his neck. "I was going to get water!"

He grunts as you put all your weight on him, pushing him into a wall. "The enemy isn't going to let you take a time out and get some water."

You laugh and hit him with your elbow repeatedly on the head. "That should be a thing you know. Kind of like halftime at a sporting event or something."

Bucky grabs your back and you decide to use a move Natasha taught you. You tighten your legs around Bucky's neck before throwing yourself back, flipping Bucky under you. You pin his vibranium arm under both of you and tighten your hold on his neck again.

Bucky reaches up with his normal arm and grabs the back of your neck. He throws you across the room and you crash into some punching bags.

This is what you loved. Bucky never held back like the rest of the Avengers did when you sparred. He knew that you could take whatever punches he threw your way.

You get up and see him charging at you. You use your left leg to kick him. He goes to block your kick but you change legs quickly and kick the left side of his face. Bucky's face turns and you take the opportunity to sweep your legs under his.

He falls back and hits his head on the mat. You finally take a couple of breaths, knowing that the both of you were done after the intense sparring you guys had done.

You go to offer him your hand, knowing you won this match. He accepts your hand.

As soon as you pull to help him up, he pulls you down. He pins you down under him, holding both of your wrists above your head with his metal arm.

"I think I won," Bucky smirks at you.

"Really Barnes?" You ask.

"Yes, Doll," Bucky says confidently.

You lift your head to whisper into his ear. "Think again James."

You hook your right leg around his waist and flip over. You're now straddling Bucky's waist with a smirk and pinning his wrists by his head.

"You do know that I can easily overpower you, right Doll?" He asks.

"Of course I do, but you won't do that."

"Is that right?" He laughs.

You nod your head. "Mhm."

"I think you are mistaken." He flips the both of you over again. "I gave you an advantage and you still lost!"

You're able to get one of your arms free and punch his chest with a smile. "Shut up, Barnes."

You both look at each other with stupid grins on your faces. Bucky uses his normal hand to tuck a stray piece of hair behind your ear.

"Hey, Doll?"

"Yeah, Bucky?"

"You're beautiful," Bucky looks down at your lips.

You caress the left side of his face and your smile grows wider.

"You know, my secret boyfriend isn't going to like this."

"I think he'll be ok with it." Bucky leans down your lips barely touching.

You maintain eye contact with him. "And why is that?"

"Because he told me." You move your hand to the back of his head and push him down.

Your lips finally crash together, making the wait worth it. You put your leg around his waist and put your hand in his hair.

Bucky recently cut his hair, leaving it close to his head. It was just a little bit shorter than his hair in the 40s. He said he wanted to get rid of anything that reminded him of the Winter Soldier.

You pull back from the kiss but you both stay in the same position. "You stink Barnes."

He laughs. "Like you smell like daisies."

"I do!" You move your hand to pull up your shirt and smell it. You scrunch your nose. "Ok, maybe I smell like dead daisies."

Bucky lets out a small laugh before nodding his head. He leans back down and captures your lips with his.

The both of you were so distracted, you didn't hear the gym doors open.

"What the hell is this?" You and Bucky pull away and look at the door.

Tony is standing there with his arms crossed and his face scrunched up.

Tagged Readers: @ordelixx @bellabarnes1378 @sukaibg @angel-xx-1 @spookydestinydonut @harperkenobi @mcira @yeehawbrothers @waywardhunter95 @blackbirdwitch22

[yallthemwitches]

Hey!

First off, I just gotta say I’m a huge fan of your Lily and James stories, especially the smutty ones, haha. I love them! Seriously, I adore my smutty jilys and can’t wait to see what else you have in store for them. I’ve been reading your fics for a while now, and I’m totally hooked – your writing is amazing!

Speaking of which, what do you think of CH darling and their story The Last Enemy? I’m absolutely hooked, even though I know they’re taking their time with the next book (TLE 3 confirmed). I’m dying for it to be published, but I get it – every writer needs their space. Still, the wait is killing me, haha. I’ve been reading their stuff for years, and after all this time, I finally worked up the courage to message them, and they were so sweet in their reply.

And of course, I really want to thank you so much for always responding to my writing requests and ideas. You’re awesome! You always deliver and make my day with your stories.

I just wanted to say that, right now, you and CH darling are my two absolute favorite writers, and I’m always looking forward to what’s next from both of you. I seriously love everything you write!

Sending you a big hug, hope you’re having an awesome day!

Love ❤️

So, I had to step away from this message and hold my heart for a minute because, wow. Uhm. THANK YOU.

I'm sure you're aware but The Last Enemy is my biblical jily and marauders. period. end of story. I've been reading jily fics since I was a stinky 13 year old and I've never found a fic that felt so close to canon that honestly jkr should just give copyright to chdarling and call it a day.

To even have someone say that @chdarling and I are their favorite writers is insane. More than insane. Like you don't understand, I'd cut off my own hand to have half the talent she has for cobbling a plot together, weaving in character povs, political commentary, obscure canon references AND keeping it succinct for THAT long. My god. So thank you, I actually might tear up. I am not worthy.

So you can imagine I am not doing well waiting for TLE3 but I respect her needing the space and time and I totally understand where she's coming from when she says it's hard to find motivation to write while the world is literally on fire. Do I very selfishly wish she would say 'fuck it' and release what she already has? Absolutely- would ritually sacrifice a small child for it-but again, life comes first and I'm already so thankful for everything she's given us. I also mad respect her for using her platform during this hiatus to keep people politically aware and involved. Absolute queen.

I hope you know she has little snippets here and there on her tumblr which I always go back to reread when I just need a little pick me up in the day. Her jily just is so flawless...(ok, I'll stop gushing.)

Anyways, again THANK YOU SO SO MUCH. I know thanks can sometimes sound hollow but I honestly don't know how people even continue to read what I write. Every message in my inbox or comment or kudos or like or whatever feels like a little firefly fluttering in my heart in the greatest of ways.

[wordsofwilderness]

buy me your world, Ch 3: Hook-up

“Fuck, I can’t believe I get to do this, that you’re letting me,” James murmured, the awe clear in his voice. His hands travelled up Regulus’ body, pulling up and the shirt free on the way. He nipped at Regulus’ jaw, whispering into it. “Do you have any idea how crazy you drive me, love? The thoughts you’ve put in my head.” “It was the plan,” Regulus scoffed, fumbling with the buckled of James’ belt before tugging the belt off and tossing it to the side. James chuckled, pausing his work on the buttons of Regulus’ shirt for a brief moment. “Well, you’ve succeeded on all fronts. So, what do you want for your grand prize?” Regulus frowned, looking up to meet James’ eyes. That wasn’t what he wanted, what he needed. But Golden Retriever James couldn’t possibly give him that. “Come on, love. Let me spoil you.” “And if I don’t want to be spoiled?” Regulus hedged.

[allthistrashtalkmakemeitchin]

Ghostwriter CH 8

Unbetad Unedited Unhinged || AO3

Character(s): Kendall Knight, James Diamond, Logan Mitchell, Carlos Garcia, Mercedes Griffin, Veronica Clark oc

Pairing(s): Kendall Knight/Veronica Clark, James Diamond & Veronica Clark, Carlos Garcia & Veronica Clark, Logan Mitchell & Veronica Clark, Mercedes Griffin & Veronica Clark, James Diamond & Kendall Knight & carlos Garcia & Logan Mitchell

Word count: 3k

“I always go to the mall on Fridays. Even though moving to Los Angeles has shaken up my routine significantly, I’m at least trying to keep something.” 

“Ronnie, babes, you don’t have to explain anything to me.” Mercedes giggled and looked up from texting. “I totally get it. Every tomboy needs a break from four teenage boys occasionally.” 

“That’s not– Sure, let’s go with that.” Ronnie sighed and leaned her chin in the palm of her hands. She didn’t need a break from them– okay, she needed a break from Kendall. 

The songwriter has somewhat ignored the frontman for the past five days. Of course, she couldn’t ignore Kendall at work and was overtly respectful towards him, but it was a different story outside of work. She started hanging out with James a little more. The brunette even helped hide her from Kendall once or twice. But it was nice to have a break from all of them. 

On Wednesday, Carlos started a pet grooming business to get some extra pocket change, which inevitably erupted in him when Bitters found out. Ronnie spent the day running after dogs that got loose in the Palm Woods with Carlos. It was fun until Bitters yelled at both of them when one of the escaped dogs jumped in the pool and scared tenants. 

It was nice to kick back with Mercedes. 

Ronnie was still on high alert, worried that Mercedes would ask her father to fire her if this didn't go well. She felt obligated to. It wasn’t like she was forced to hang out with the rich girl. Not that her company wasn’t great. Hanging out at the mall with Mercedes was like hanging out back home. Only Ronnie didn’t have to witness whatever courting ritual Addison and Callie were a part of. 

“Do you even take care of your nails?” Mercedes pointed her nail file at Ronnie and raised a perfect brow. 

Ronnie hummed and furrowed her brows, looking down at her hands. The answer was no, but the blonde didn’t wait for verbal confirmation. 

“This is the perfect opportunity to go to the spa!” Mercedes beamed happily and stuffed her nail file in her purse. “It’ll be my treat!” 

This whole trip was technically her treat. The bubbly girl didn’t allow Ronnie to reach for her debit card in her wallet. 

“Oh, maybe then we can touch up our wardrobe! It’s L.A. and nearly eighty-plus. I have no idea how you wear that sweatshirt everywhere.” 

“It’s comfortable…” 

“Is sweating to death that comfortable?” She batted her eyelashes and stuck out her bottom lip. 

Ronnie rolled her eyes and couldn’t stop herself from smiling slightly. 

“Okay, okay. You got me there, but I’ll only part with it to try on clothes.” 

“Party pooper.” Mercedes pouted. She bounced out of her chair and grabbed her fancy fountain soda drink. “Now, come on. I saw this cute dress in one of the windows, and I think it would look nice on you!” 

Ronnie’s face heated up. She swore she was blushing. Addison always told her she looked good whenever they tried on clothes together, but something about how Mercedes said it felt far more genuine. 

“That made you bashful? Oh, girl, we have a lot to work on.” Mercedes giggled behind her hand. When Ronnie stood up, she hooked her arm through hers and led her off with a bounce in her step. 

Momentarily, the songwriter couldn’t help but think about Addison and Callie. Addison would be over the moon to go shopping in Los Angeles. She would walk up and down Hollywood Boulevard a hundred times over and go into each store multiple times. It would be paradise for her. Although Ronnie hadn’t been gone for long, she hoped they would visit her soon. It wasn’t the same without them. It was nice hanging out with others and expanding her social circle, but she wanted to see her old friends again. It wasn’t the same without them. 

Clothes were piled in her arms as Mercedes took them from the wrack. Ronnie couldn’t hear what she was saying and struggled to peek over the growing pile in her arms. 

“Oh! I think this would look good on you!” Mercedes tossed something yellow on the pile. 

“What are you talking about–” Ronnie glanced over her shoulder and was promptly pushed into the changing room by the blonde socialite. 

Instead of being left to choose which clothes worked best, Mercedes had Ronnie come out of the changing room and model for her. The blue-haired girl felt like a Barbie doll. It was hard work to wear and model the clothes for Mercedes. When she got an idea, the rich girl would mix and match the tops with bottoms and circle back to other garments. Ronnie was reasonably confident she would never shop in Hollywood, but unfortunately, the universe had different plans for her. One outfit Mercedes liked was a black and pink tank top with distressed jean shorts. Ronnie crossed her arms in front of her chest and tried to hide her arms. It felt so wrong to be showing this much skin above the waist. 

“Do you… Actually, like this?” 

“Yes! You look hot!” Mercedes clapped her hands. “Those guys won’t know what hit ‘em!” 

“I look like a… slut.” Ronnie muttered. 

“Nonsense! Maybe you need a different top, or perhaps add a jean skirt instead!” 

The songwriter groaned and pushed open the door to the dressing room. If this was what it meant to be Mercedes' new best friend, she might have thought more about that prospect. It wasn’t like the socialite was forcing her to do anything against her will, so she agreed to dress up and model clothes for the rich girl. But, the prospect of getting fired by Mercedes’ CEO father was far more intimidating than doing anything she asked. The next outfit she wore was an off-the-shoulder gray t-shirt with a skull and a pair of boot-cut jeans. Mercedes tilted her head and hummed, tapping her chin. 

“What is it missing?” The blonde squinted in thought. 

Eventually, Ronnie’s torment came to an end. Unfortunately, it was extended for a little longer because Mercedes insisted on buying the clothes she thought Ronnie looked good in. The blue-haired girl tried to protest, but the blonde didn’t want to hear it. At least shopping torture was better than Gustavo’s school of Rocque. She was the only student sitting in a supply closet-sized classroom with a teacher who didn’t want to be there. Instead of math, the washed-up celebrity ranted about how Big Time Rish would become a Big Time Fail. So, while the boys get to go to the school in Palm Woods, their songwriter has to deal with Gustavo at Rocque Records for more than just work hours. 

“Speaking of boys,” Mercedes mused as they returned to her car. “I could get you a date with anyone in Hollywood. Name your type,” 

“Huh?” Ronnie wobbled from the weight of all the shopping bags. “What do you mean?” 

“You know? Do you like hockey players? Musicians? Singers? The sensitive, emotional boys? The bad boys?” Mercedes raised a brow. 

“I mean… I guess I like hockey players…” Ronnie shrugged and tried to catch a bag before it fell. “They are kind of cute.” 

“Wait, really? You like hockey players?” Mercedes' eyes lit up. 

Her nose was buried in her phone, and she was barely paying attention to what was happening around her in the parking lot. Ronnie’s arm shot out when a car backed out of a parking spot. 

“I do have his phone number!” The blonde gasped. “What do you know about Curt Haverfield?” 

“Who?” Ronnie furrowed her brows. “He sounds like a cartoon character.” 

“He’s from North Carolina, and the L.A. Kings are considering him.” 

“I’m guessing that’s the hockey team,” Ronnie rolled her eyes. “I’m also assuming your dad wants him to represent RCM CBT because it could get him more recognition.” 

“Curt is an excellent hockey player. I’ve only talked to him a handful of times, and he’s super nice, too. I think you’d like him.” 

“I don’t know…” 

“Give me your phone.” Mercedes held her hand out. 

Ronnie stared at her open palm for a second and struggled to get her phone out of her pocket. She handed the girl her phone and couldn’t help but cringe. It wasn’t anything fancy. It was a Samsung Epic 4G from Sprint—one of those phones with a QWERTY keyboard. It was nothing compared to Mercedes' iPhone, but the girl didn’t comment. The socialite was more concerned with punching in a phone number with strict concentration. 

“There! You have Curt’s number! I’ll let him know who you are and maybe get him to visit you sometime.” Mercedes chirped happily. 

“I don’t– How– What– “ Ronnie stared wide-eyed at the bubbly girl. 

“Do you… By any chance, do you have anyone I could meet?” Mercedes batted her eyelashes. 

Ronnie opened and closed her mouth; the neurons in her brain hadn’t yet connected. Quickly going through her contacts, she found the only guy that would be a viable candidate. Tyler-Joseph “TJ” Miller. He helped her decide to go to Hollywood.  She handed her phone back to Mercedes. 

“He’s a sweet guy. Knows a little French.” 

“Oh! International!” 

“No, no.” Ronnie shook her head. “He’s from Vermont. I went to high school with him.” 

“Oh–” Mercedes nodded slowly. “If you think so highly of him, he’s perfect!” Mercedes copied his number from Ronnie’s phone. 

When she got home, she was surrounded by what could only be mountains of laundry and empty shopping bags. Ronnie sat in the middle of her room and looked around at everything piled up in the past week. She groaned and leaned back into a pile of dirty laundry. It had been a week, and she still had no idea where the laundry room was. Walking around with a laundry hamper filled with laundry wasn’t the best idea when four hockey players from Minnesota were around. 

“Wait, wait! Ronnie, watch out!” Kendall called her, but it was too late. 

She couldn’t see because of the hamper she was carrying. Their makeshift hockey puck, a simple rubber ball, was under her foot. Her feet flew in opposite directions, and her laundry fell all over her and on the carpeted floor of the lobby. Ronnie sat up and pulled a shirt off of her head. 

“Why are you playing hockey in the lobby!” She snapped. 

“Hockey in the lobby?” It was like Bitters was a bloodhound for trouble. He came out of nowhere, inspecting the scene before him. “No hockey in the lobby!” He pointed to a rule board that also came out of nowhere. “And you, clean up your laundry!” He snapped at Ronnie. 

“They made me drop my laundry!” Ronnie huffed and started picking up her clothing. “Couldn’t you guys have played that outside?” 

“Well, no.” Carlos chuckled awkwardly, helping her pick up her clothes. “There’s a movie shoot outside.” 

“I'm Sorry, Ronnie. I told you to watch out.” Kendall apologized as he helped her up. 

Ronnie narrowed her eyes and turned to her clothes on the floor, kneeling to pick up her garments. Whenever the guys were around, something embarrassing happened. 

“Why are you doing laundry anyway?” Logan asked. “Don’t you have… Too much clothes.” 

“Camille took me shopping, and then Mercedes took me shopping. I couldn’t say no!” 

“I get that,” Logan chuckled awkwardly. 

“I’ll help you carry it. There’s no plausible reason you should be forced to carry this much,” James had gathered some of her clothes in his arms. “It’s only fair.” He shrugged. 

“Do you even know where the laundry room is?” Kendall asked. 

Carlos, Logan, and James could tell quickly that Ronnie was ignoring him. Of course, Kendall was oblivious to it. 

“James, can you show me where the laundry room is?” Ronnie asked, moving aside a piece of clothing so she could look at him. 

“Oh, yeah, sure!” James flashed Kendall a smug grin. 

Kendall’s smile fell off his face. Okay, now he realized she was ignoring him outside of work. Instead of moping, he followed James and Ronnie to the laundry room. It was strange for the four boys to sit in the laundry room while she loaded the washing machine with her laundry, but they kept her company at least. She hummed a melody stuck in her head as she measured laundry detergent. 

“Hey! You could make a song out of that!” Carlos gasped, tapping his foot to the beat. 

“What? No, it was just a silly little tune. It would not be sufficient.” Ronnie laughed and shook her head. 

“Are you seriously doubting your songwriter talent?” Kendall scoffed. 

“I mean, yeah, it’s the melody for Invisible, but that’s not boy band material.” 

Kendall rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall with a pout. 

“Well, what’s invisible about?” Logan asked. 

“I– You really want to know?” Ronnie raised a brow. 

The boys nodded with sparkly eyes. 

“I wrote it when I was in a really bad space. I felt like I was all alone and wanted someone to tell me, ‘Hey, you’re not invisible. I see you.” 

Kendall’s gaze softened, and he shifted. He shoved his hands in his pockets as the gears in his head were turning. 

“That’s perfect! It would be totally relatable for our demographic!” Carlos exclaimed, jumping up from his seat. “Can we see the lyrics? Is it finished?” 

Ronnie took a step back. 

“Yes, it’s finished. No, you can’t see the lyrics.” 

“Why not?” Logan furrowed his brows. 

“You’re our songwriter!” James cried. “Write us some kickass songs!” 

“No.” The washing machine door shut with a loud thud. “It’s a personal song, and there is no way I am letting you four sing all my intimate thoughts!” 

A grin stretched across James’ face, and he nudged Kendall. 

“We would love to sing your intimate thoughts!” James snapped finger guns at her. 

“I can write you another song, but there is no way you’re having that one. It’s mine.” Ronnie set a timer on her phone and sat in an empty chair. 

“Then we can help you make a new one!” A lightbulb went off in Carlos’ head. 

“We just have to orchestrate lyrics.” Logan built off of Carlos’ idea. 

“They’re not listening to me…” Ronnie groaned and leaned her head back. 

Her laundry was done in two hours, and she had to listen to the guys prattle on about the lyrics of their new song. Part of her considered letting them sing Invisible, but she wouldn’t be in the room if they did. The good thing about having four boys in the laundry room with her was that she could make them fold her laundry when it was dried. Hockey players from Minnesota were decent enough at folding laundry. It was her least favorite part about folding laundry, and they were eager to help her faster so they could get started on a brand-new song. 

But when she had to carry her clothes up, Logan, Carlos, and James made some pretty bad excuses and ran away before she could ask them about it. Kendall was nice enough to help her with her clothes. 

“So, is there a reason why you’re ignoring me?” 

“Huh?” Ronnie moved her head around the pile of folded clothes in her hamper. 

“Since the party, you’ve been ignoring me.” 

“So?” 

What– I thought we were friends.” 

“Oh, right. I’m still waiting for that apology.” 

“What apology?” 

“Kendall,” Ronnie sighed. “You were sober. How come I remember what happened?” 

“I didn’t do anything wrong?” 

“Oh, right, because you never do anything wrong. You’re just the sweet boy next door.” Ronnie mocked with a grimace on her face. 

“Okay,” Kendall sighed. “Maybe I was a little too hard on you…” 

“A little? Since you met me, you’ve been giving me the stink eye, and I’m pretty sure you’re under the impression I did something to make your ex-girlfriend leave you.” 

“What do you know about Jo?” 

“Apparently, I know a lot…” Ronnie exhaled sharply. 

“Okay, okay. My breakup with Jo has nothing to do with you whatsoever. I’ll admit it, but I wasn’t expecting you to show up right after she leaves.” 

“What? So I was the metaphorical salt in the wound?” 

“Well, yeah…” Kendall shrugged. 

“You have serious problems.” Ronnie stretched her neck from side to side. 

“It’s not my fault she was my first girlfriend!” 

“Uh, yeah. It is your fault.” 

“Come on, I’m helping you! Can’t be at least be nicer?” 

“I dunno, this is kind of like payback.” 

Ronnie put her laundry hamper down and looked around for the keys to her apartment. Kendall shifted the folded pile in his arms and waited patiently. He followed her into the apartment but stopped before her bedroom door and waited for her to relieve him of the clothing in his hands. This was the second time he had brought clothing to her apartment, and it was the second time something embarrassing had happened in the guys' presence. 

“Thank you.” Ronnie took Kendall's folded pile and opened a drawer in her dresser to put away her shirts. 

Out of curiosity, Kendall leaned forward. He didn’t dare step into her room in case her dad was waiting to snap at him. There were posters on every inch of her walls—Insane Clown Posse, Boyz City, Incubus, My Chemical Romance, The Front Bottoms, etc. 

“You… Uh… You like a lot of bands.” Kendall felt awkward standing there. 

“You can come in. The doors open.” Ronnie rolled her eyes. “I don’t bite.” 

“What’s your favorite band?” 

“Is this a trick question?” Ronnie raised a brow. “I can’t just pick one, but it depends on my mood and what genre I want to listen to.” 

“Not a trick question.” 

“Right now? I’d say Green Day.” 

“Green Day? I thought you were going to say Big Time Rush!”

[arwenlalaith]

Dating App Mishaps (Ch. 3)

Ship: Alex Blake/Reader

Summary: Alex didn't have Tinder by choice...but that doesn't mean it isn't going to come in handy.

Word Count: 1054

Alex hated how Midlife Crisis it all was... She hadn't had sex without anything that didn't require batteries in over a year, hadn't kissed anyone besides James since her early twenties – hadn't even kissed him since before he filed for divorce eight months ago – and here she was using an app she had serious doubts about in a feeble attempt to make him jealous with a woman half her age.

Every part of this screamed bad idea. She knew that.

But she was also just buzzed enough that she really wanted to rub James' stupid smug face in how happy she was...even if said happiness was fake.

Because what wasn't fake was the gorgeous twenty-four year old who had matched with her (God knows why) and the way the picture of her in a bikini had want thrumming through her...

So, she did the thing the three devils on her shoulder – named Emily, JJ, and Garcia – advised and messaged the girl to meet her at the bar as quickly as possible.

When her phone pinged with a response, the answer was anything but what she'd anticipated... Namely, the words, "It'll cost you a pornstar martini. Table under the hideous painting by the bathroom."

"She's already here," Alex blurted out.

"What?" Garcia squealed, reaching to snatch her phone. "No way!"

Alex managed to narrowly avoid having her phone stolen, but she was nevertheless holding it like it was a bomb about to detonate. "What do I do now?"

"Go over there," Emily ordered. "Right now."

"But..."

JJ offered a faint apologetic smile, but proceeded to lightly shove Alex out of the booth with a significant stare.

Alex heaved a sigh, but she knew she had no choice now that she'd set things in motion. And if she was trembling a little with nerves, well...she hid it well.

__________

From your spot at the back of the bar, you spotted Alex approaching the bartender to order your requested drink...and decided to have a little fun. You snuck up beside her – which wasn't hard, considering the noise of the packed bar – and murmured beside her ear, "This must be my lucky day..."

She jumped, startled, whirling around to face you; her expression quickly changed to relief when she recognized you. "Y/N..." she said, "You, umm... I wasn't... I didn't..." Her stammering faltered suddenly as something over your shoulder caught her attention. "Forgive my forwardness, but...kiss me."

For a moment, your brain stalled. It was one thing to talk about making out with a stranger, it was another thing entirely to actually be faced with the prospect. "Oh, umm...right now?"

Rather than answer with words, though, she surged forward to capture your lips with hers. For a few moments, you were stunned to the point of inaction. When your lips moved against hers, Alex let out a little whimper and that quickly spurred you into action.

You tangled the fingers of one hand in her hair, the other hand finding the hem of her shirt and slipping underneath it so your palm was flat against the warm skin of her back. You weren't entirely sure what to expect from her, in terms of how intimate she wanted the kiss to get, considering the whole thing was a charade to make her ex jealous, so you were pleasantly surprised when she hooked her fingers in your belt loops, pulling you closer until you were flush against her body.

You let out a little gasp when your back hit the bar – part pain, part surprise...but neither stopped you from delving your tongue into her mouth, tasting the wine she'd been sipping all night. Kissing her was intoxicating and you could swear your head was swimming, though you'd been clear-headed only moments ago. It was a feeling you were certain you could get addicted to if you let yourself.

When she finally needed to breathe again, Alex reluctantly pulled away from your lips and turned her attention to somewhere over your shoulder. "Oh, hello, James," she said with false pleasantness, "I didn't see you there."

"Alex."

You could hear the bitterness in her ex's voice and you couldn't help but smirk to yourself as you turned to face him, slipping your arm around Alex's waist as you did so. "Babe," you said, as if surprised by the interruption, "Who's this?"

Alex seemed momentarily surprised that you were continuing to play along, but it didn't last long before she answered, "This would be my ex-husband..."

"Oh," you said flatly, wrinkling your nose in distaste as you looked him over.

He was quite obviously checking you out (you were suddenly glad Quinn had insisted you wear one of the sluttier dresses in your wardrobe) and it took him several long moments before his eyes stopped wandering and met your pointed gaze. "James Blake," he introduced himself, extending a hand for you to shake.

You reluctantly accepted the handshake. "Y/N," you replied with false sweetness and a Barbie doll fake smile. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we were in the middle of something..."

Alex seemed a little surprised by your quick dismissal, but she didn't say anything...possibly because you were once again pulling her in for a kiss and she certainly wasn't about to refuse you that (for admittedly selfish reasons).

You could still feel James' gaze on you, so you decided you might as well really give him something to stare at and proceeded to let your hands slip down Alex's back to cup her ass. She gave a little squeak of surprise and you briefly thought you'd pushed too far...but rather than complain, she kissed you all the more ferociously.

You couldn't help but smirk to yourself as you felt her teeth scrape along your bottom lip, coaxing a little whine from your throat. She pulled back slightly, silently asking if she'd hurt you and when you failed to complain – perhaps even flushing slightly with arousal – she smirked as well and began to trail her lips down your throat, punctuating the kisses with sharp nips until you were melting under her touch.

[darlinghook-fanficfeed]

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow | Alixtii

April 14, 2011 | 1k words | Ch. 1/1

https://archiveofourown.org/works/183994

When Hook returns to Earth for Wendy's funeral, he and Jane mourn together.

Fandom(s): Peter Pan (2003), Peter Pan - J. M. Barrie, Return to Never Land (2002)  

Rating: N/A

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Characters: Jane (Peter Pan), James Hook, Original Female Character

Category: F/M

Relationship(s): Wendy Darling/James Hook, James Hook/Jane, James Hook/Margaret, James Hook/Original Female Character

Additional Tags: Wakes & Funerals, Multidimensional Travel, POV Female Character, POV: Jane (Peter Pan), Present Tense, POV Third Person, Grief, Mourning, mothers, Granchildren, Literary Reference, Literary Allusions

Also available as a podfic:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/374397

[thosesillylittlegayghosts]

Tlh characters/relationships as speak now (Taylor’s version songs)

Mine:

It pains me to say this but jordelia. Hear me out! ‘Careless man’s careful daughter’ and Cordelia doing everything she can to get Elias off the hook in cog. ‘Do you remember we were sitting there by the water…’ and Cordelia reading to James when he was ill.

Sparks fly

Ghostwriter. ‘Kind of reckless that should send me running’ when he’s literally a ghost?? ‘Captivated by you baby like a fireworks show’ when Lucie so clearly remembers their first meeting? Also the song just gives off major like writer with an idealistic view of love so it’s perfect for Lucie

Back to December

Alastair to Thomas. Mainly like after coi/early chot Thomastair. ‘I’m so glad you made time to see me’ as Thomas going to see Alastair when he wrote despite their ‘break up.’ ‘You gave me all you love and all I gave you was goodbye’ I mean really it’s their whole convo after the sanctuary scenes guys

Speak now

Matthew. Do I even need to explain??? His whole monologue about if they really loved each other then he’d leave but it’s a sham and she shouldn’t be marrying James as a sham but hes still gonna let it happen because he’s in love with her and he’s his parabati. Also him actually shooting his shot at the end of chain of iron (rip his chances after the gracelet came off though)

Dear John

Alastair carstairs and also to some degree grace? I mean the opening line just screams Alastair. Also the whole don’t you think I was too young to be messed with HE WAS LITERALLY A CHILD. ‘Don’t you think nineteens too young to be played by your dark twisted games’ and Charles engagements and lies ‘but I took your matches before fire could catch me’ he made it out! He dumped Charles before he lost himself completely and I will never not love him for that

But also Grace like to her mum? ‘Never impressed by me acing your tests’ I mean come on

Mean

Once again, Alastair carstairs. And not just because I love the man. It’s giving him at the academy and then him growing up and loving himself and stopping being the bully to avoid being the victims. It’s giving him spending his childhood under his dads abuse to grow up and be free of him and be able to live his life how he wants. It’s giving him dumping Charles and dyeing his hair back to its natural colour in the same day. It’s giving him growing up and learning to be happy.

The story of us

Ari to Anna. ‘So many walls up I can’t break through’ with Anna being on the defensive but not telling her why. Them being so happy the first night they met to them not talking in cog to them almost being back together to them fighting to them actually communicating and getting back together? ‘Is it killing you like it’s killing me’ Ari knowing how she feels but believing that Anna is entirely unaffected by their ‘relationship’

Never grow up

Any of the tid adults to the Tlh gang but also Alastair to Cordelia (and now Zachary)? Like the man gives up his childhood to ensure Cordelia has one then suddenly she’s grown up and has her own opinions and he can’t keep protecting her because now she knows things he never wanted her to and then she’s married and he really can’t protect her anymore.

Enchanted

Thomas to Alastair. I don’t really need to explain but it’s the way Thomas has loved him from the start. Maybe not truly been in love with him given they barely knew each other but there’s always been those feelings. ‘Please don’t be in love with someone else’ and Thomas watching Alastair and ch*rles interact over the years and just know that Alastair doesn’t feel the same way but still desperately dreaming that maybe one day he will and then one day he does?!

Better than revenge

The one and only Miss Cordelia Carstairs. Pre chot obviously. Like the majority chain of iron being her and James married and content and having their deal and her not really worrying about Grace all that much because nothings gonna happen between them for another year and James is acting a bit different know so maybe there’s hope?? And then suddenly seeing them two kiss.

Innocent

Both Alastair and Grace. The whole song is about not defining someone by their mistakes (although fuck Kanye) and both Alastair and Grace repent for their pasts (I would personally argue neither are actually responsible for what they did but that’s another post) this song is also Thomas and Christopher respectively, constantly standing up for the other after they get to know them. It’s giving Thomas defending Alastair to the merry thieves for YEARS and kit defending Grace to the whole crew after the gracelet thing comes out

Okay this is extremely long imma do a part 2